National Anti-War March on the Pentagon! March 21, 2009

[Better Believe It]

The National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations is joining with other coalitions, organizations, and networks to organize a united MARCH 21 NATIONAL COALITION to mobilize people across the United States to take part in a March on the Pentagon on Saturday, March 21, marking six years of war and occupation of Iraq.

Demonstrations will also be held on that date in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other cities across the U.S.

These actions will remind the nation that all U.S. military forces must be brought home from Afghanistan and Iraq, and that the U.S. antiwar movement – marching behind a banner demanding “Out Now!” -- will intensify its struggle to make it happen.

The actions are needed to assure the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries threatened by Washington’s expansionist policies that tens of millions of people in this country support their right to settle their own destinies without U.S. interventions, occupations and murderous wars. International law recognizes and we demand that the U.S. respect the right to self-determination. We reject any notion that the U.S. is the world’s self-appointed cop.

The March 21 united mass actions are also needed at this time of economic meltdown to demand jobs for all; a moratorium on foreclosures; rebuilding the crumbling infrastructure; guaranteed quality education and health care for all; an end to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and deportations; and funding for sorely needed social programs. So long as trillions of dollars continue to be spent on wars, occupations, and bailouts to the banks and corporate elite, the domestic needs of people in the U.S. can never be met.

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Presentation by Marilyn Levin at the United for Peace and Justice national assembly Dec. 12-14 in support of a united mass mobilization in Washington, DC on March 21st, marking the sixth year of war and occupation in Iraq.

I’m here representing 18 groups presenting the mass action unity amendment. I’ll restate the essence: UFPJ will contribute to the unity of all antiwar forces for the March actions, including joining in forming and supporting a democratic, inclusive, national ad hoc alliance for the purpose of organizing and publicizing a March 21st mass march in Washington, DC, San Francisco, and other cities.

I’ll start by answering the question – Why is a mass mobilization of the entire antiwar movement necessary this spring?

It is necessary because the Iraqi and Afghani people need it, the US soldiers and their families need it, the kids who don’t have jobs and will be recruited into the military need it, the American people and the international communities in the midst of an economic collapse need it, and President Obama and the new Congress need it.

It is significant that the wonderful slide show about the history of the movement shows inspiring mobilizations of hundreds of thousands in the streets. This needs to be our future as well, starting this spring, the sixth year of the Iraq occupation.

We’re all talking about how best to engage the young people who were inspired by Obama, many of them involved in political activity for the first time. People who have marched many times can become jaded. Mass actions are the same old; we need all new strategies for this new era. Someone should have explained that to ML King, Jr. and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee when they continued to organize mass actions, even at grave peril, until Jim Crow was defeated. Johnson and Nixon knew they were significant and eventually, along with the resistance of the Vietnamese and US soldiers, forced the complete withdrawal from that war torn country.

Have you ever talked to young people coming to a mass demonstration for the first time, even a small one? I have – they are inspired and thrilled to be part of the throngs with all their diverse signs and contingents, to hear speakers like Howard Zinn, Iraqi and soldier resisters, and leaders of social justice movements. They feel powerful, not alone on their campuses or towns. They are energized to join with others at home to continue to organize opposition to the wars.

Has there ever been significant social change without mass actions in addition to all the other activities we organize daily? It is not enough that public opinion is with us. Not enough to vote for who they think is an antiwar candidate and then go home for four years. The majority sentiment must have visible expression. Think of the civil rights, union, anti-Vietnam War, and gay rights movements. They would not have achieved victories without building a mass movement based on repeated mobilizations in the streets.

People have said March 21st isn’t a great time to demonstrate. In the abstract, they’re right. April or May are better, nice and warm. But in reality, this is the date of the sixth year of the occupation of Iraq. Groups around the country are starting to build March 21st. It is happening and as the largest coalition, we should be leading the effort.

Some say let’s drop 3/21 in favor of the other good things outlined in the Steering Committee proposal. Well, the nature of these actions are different. They are not counterposed. Each has a different focus and orientation. March 21 is proposed as a mass, unified mobilization in Washington, with central demands of Out Now from Iraq and Afghanistan, organized by a broad, democratic, inclusive ad hoc coalition. Washington is the seat of power where foreign and domestic policies are decided, where money for war is allocated and bailouts of the banking industry and corporate rich are given away.

In summary, I urge a vote for mobilizing the largest possible outpouring of antiwar sentiment built by a unified movement on 3/21. We will march and continue to march until all US forces come home, bases are dismantled, and the sovereign people of the world have the right to control their own resources and determine their own futures, and the war budget becomes the peace budget.


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National Assembly Statement Urging Unity of the Antiwar Movement for the March Actions
These actions are necessary and need not be contradictory as long as there is unity in supporting them. However, a divided movement is a weakened movement. At this time, more than ever, the movements for peace and social justice must work in concert to bring the full force of opposition to the government's criminal and destructive policies into the streets. It would be a tragic setback if all organizations and constituencies do not come together to act in a unified show of strength and determination in March.
The National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations was formed to promote a united, democratic, independent and mass action antiwar movement to bring the troops home now. Our objective was to do all in our power to achieve this by the Spring of 2009. It now appears that this critical objective is within reach.
We strongly urge and will participate in the formation of an ad hoc national coalition to make the March 21 actions a true expression of the opposition of this country's majority to U.S. wars and occupations. The National Assembly will make every effort to bring such a coalition into fruition and to urge all Assembly supporters to actively participate in the process.

[ikojo]

1. Glad to see UFPJ is still keeping up the

demonstrations even with Obama in office. I was concerned that Obama would be given a pass because he's not Bush or McCain.

[Better Believe It]

2. For the weekend DU crew

[Joe the Liberal]

3. K & R

:kick: